Southern Mexico oil spill leaves thousands without water

An oil spill in south-eastern Mexico has left more than 200 000 people without water.

Over the weekend in the Mexican state of Tabasco, thieves bored a hole in a Pemex-operated oil pipeline in an attempt to steal some of the oil.

The spill has polluted two rivers. Four water treatment plants in the region have been shut down as a precaution. Oil company workers have set out containment booms and have been trying to scoop oil from waterways.

So far, it’s unclear how much oil spilled into the waterways, which included the Sierra River.

Local authorities have asked for help from the army to supply drinking water to those most affected.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Sources: Think Progress, BBC

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/17042015/southern-mexico-oil-spill-leaves-thousands-without-water/